Colombia Will Stop Spraying Monsanto’s RoundUp On Illegal Coca Plants

In a statement released last month, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto’s herbicide “RoundUp”, is “probably carcinogenic.”

The report indicated studies that “sufficiently demonstrated” that this substance caused cancer in animals. According to multiple reports, Monsanto was well aware that this chemical caused cancer for decades yet still continued to sell it.

In light of this recent announcement, many countries in Latin America are banning the chemical while others are cutting back its use within their borders.

It was reported this week that the Colombian government will stop using glyphosate to destroy illegal coca plants, which will eventually be used in the production of cocaine.

“I am going to ask the government officials in the National Drug Council at their next meeting to suspend glyphosate spraying of illicit cultivations,” President Juan Manuel Santos said.

“The recommendations and studies reviewed by the Ministry of Health show clearly that yes, this risk exists,” he added.

Not only does this spraying affect users of cocaine, but farmers have complained that indiscriminate spraying of this chemical has caused entire fields of coffee and other legal crops to be totally destroyed and poisoned.

Other countries in the region, like Ecuador and Peru, also use this chemical to kill coca crops, but so far Colombia is the first and only country to make this type of declaration. A global movement known as the March Against Monsanto will take place on May 23rd to oppose the use of Roundup and other Monsanto products around the world.

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John Vibes is an author, researcher and investigative journalist who takes a special interest in the counter culture and the drug war. In addition to his writing and activist work he organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference, which features top caliber speakers and whistle-blowers from all over the world. You can contact him and stay connected to his work at his Facebook page. You can find his 65 chapter Book entitled “Alchemy of the Timeless Renaissance” at bookpatch.com.